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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Evangelism 101 (Part 1): The heart of soul winning

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Evangelism truly is a matter of the heart for both the soul winner and the lost soul. Indeed, without both hearts surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit, any sharing of the Gospel will be fruitless. Regardless of how eloquently or emotionally a personal testimony is articulated by a believer, unless God is making His appeal through the believer (2 Cor. 5:20) and the unbeliever’s spirit has been prepared by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 7:10), it is all for nought. Consider 2 Chronicles 7:14 which states “if My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Too often, Christians read this passage and immediately presume that they must fall prostrate in prayer or seek a solemn assembly with others. But when read in context, God is calling us to be “humble.” It is from this condition of the mind, the heart and the soul that we pray and seek His face. Then, in response to this spiritual state, He responds to listen, forgive and heal. Indeed, the Bible tends to define all spiritual processes in … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Marty Black is the Director of Missions for the Concord-Union Baptist Association. Robert Grafton is the new worship leader at the First Baptist Church, Bernice CRUSADES Bayou Macon Baptist Associational: Senior Adult Revival, February 24-26, 2025, 10 a.m. with a meal served after. Guest Speaker: Ron Burch. Worship Leader: Mark Lanier. February 24, Trinity Baptist Church; February 25, First Baptist Oak Grove; February 28, First Baptist Church Kilbourne. Searcy Baptist Church, Trout: LaSalle Parish Rally, February 1, 2 p.m. Pastor: Steve Jensen. REVIVAL ReFirst Baptist Church, Haynesville: Spring revival, February 2-5, 2025, Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: Rob Burns. Bellevue Baptist Church, Jena: Spring Revival, February 2-5, Evangelist: … [Read more...]

LCU Day of Prayer set Feb. 2

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Just weeks before the board of trustees could announce their recommendation of a finalist to be the next president of Louisiana Christian University, Louisiana Baptists have been asked to set aside Feb. 2 as a day of prayer for the search committee, the pool of candidates and school. "I am so grateful for this focus of prayer among Louisiana Baptists for our school as we move closer to recommending our next president to serve and lead Louisiana Christian University in the years to come," LCU Presidential Search Committee Chairman Tommy Kiker, also pastor of East Leesville Baptist Church, told the Baptist Message. Established after a vote by messengers during the 2024 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, the special day will focus on specific needs for higher student enrollment, continued financial provisions, wisdom for the presidential search team; and strength and wisdom for Acting President David Jeffreys. Since June 2024, LCU has conducted a nationwide search for the 10th president of the nearly 120-year-old institution; and the search committee has received applications and recommendations from alumni, community members and a … [Read more...]

‘Pause’ retreat set Feb. 7-8 for pastors, wives

By Baptist Message staff WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – Pastors and their wives are invited to attend a weekend of encouragement, inspiration and wellness awareness during the third annual “Pause” retreat, Feb. 7-8, at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center. The event will feature encouraging messages from John Sullivan, former Florida Baptist State Convention executive director; Diana Swift, the wife of Louisiana Baptist Pastoral Leadership Strategist and be inspired from God’s Word.” Participants can choose hotel-style lodging and meals ($210), RV space with hookups and meals ($155) or commuter rate with meals ($140). Registration will begin 3 p.m., Feb. 7, with the retreat’s first session scheduled for 6 p.m. The retreat will conclude 1 p.m., Feb. 8. For more information, visit the Pause webpage. … [Read more...]

Louisiana Christian University’s first C3 event of spring scheduled for Feb. 4

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Robert “Bob” Stewart will be Louisiana Christian University’s guest speaker at its first Christ, Church and Culture event of the spring semester, Feb. 4. Stewart, who retired in 2024 as professor of philosophy and theology with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, will share more on "the world is messed up, but God raised Jesus from the dead." He is the editor of "The Resurrection of Jesus: John Dominic Crossan and N.T. Wright in Dialogue"; and "The Future of Atheism: Alister McGrath and Daniel Dennett in Dialogue". He has also authored "The Challenge of Unbelief: Understanding and Responding to Atheism (Studies in Christian Apologetics)" and "Memories of Jesus: A Critical Assessment of James D. G. Dunns Quest of the Historical Jesus." Stewart earned his master's degree in divinity and a doctoral degreee from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. The C3 event will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Guinn Auditorium. It is free and open to the public. … [Read more...]

LCU classes to be held online Thursday, Friday

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Out of an abundance of caution for students traveling to campus, Louisiana Christian University will hold classes Thursday and Friday, Jan. 23-24, online. Campus will be open, including the dining hall and all offices. Classes will go back to regular meeting schedule beginning Monday. … [Read more...]

CENLA Hymn Sing scheduled for Feb. 2

By Baptist Message staff TIOGA, La. (LBM) – Faith Baptist Church will host a hymn sing, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m., to bring together central Louisiana churches for a time of joint worship. The hymn sing will include reading of scripture, prayer and singing of hymns. Childcare also will be available for age four and under. A dessert fellowship will follow the hymn sing. "These gatherings are unique times of uplifting worship and good fellowship," Faith Baptist Pastor Clark Palmer told the Baptist Message. "Come be one of 100-plus voices filling the room with song." … [Read more...]

LCU to be closed Jan. 21 due to expected winter weather

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Due to the expected winter weather conditions, Louisiana Christian University officials have decided to cancel classes and close all campus offices on Jan. 21. Faculty and students will follow the Continuity of Operations Plan guidelines in each course syllabus to continue classes online through Canvas assignments. Hattie B’s will be open for brunch and dinner on Tuesday. Officials will continue to monitor weather conditions for Wednesday. … [Read more...]

The phenomenal surge of faith on the field

From every perspective, the college football season that culminates next Monday night in Atlanta has been a season of firsts. For the first time in the history of the sport, a 12-team playoff will determine the national championship in a game nearly three weeks after New Year’s Day. Teams with 13 or 14 victories will find their records great but not good enough to claim the mantle of best in the land. But something else, something unexpected, looks to be another first on the field — a pervasive expression of faith in the Bible and God’s love and provision for the teams and players, win or lose. … [Read more...]